The rate of deaths every year due to auto accidents is increasing annually at very alarming rates. According to statistics every year 1.3 million people die from road accidents and 50 million get injured from these accidents. Reducing and possibly preventing these accidents is one of major issues auto- makers have been battling for decades. Auto-makers believe it is possible to reduce the rate at which these accidents occur and safe some lives with the new safety features and technologies been researched and developed for new and existing vehicles. A few decades ago, seat belts were the cutting edge safety technology, with the rate of accidents increasing more innovative safety technologies and measures were introduced. Blind spot monitoring systems, driver alert tracking systems, airbags, anti-locking break systems, adaptive headlights that enhance night-time visibility and crumple zones in cars are few of the safety features that are now been integrated in new and existing vehicles.
The latest innovative safety feature which all the car makers are buzzing about is the new crash avoidance technology system. This new system will be based on a technology that will alert drivers of danger and possibly take action on behalf of the driver to prevent crashes from happening, according to auto-makers these technology has the potential of almost completely eradicating car crashes. According to statistics a high percentage of car accidents are caused by the drivers due to bad driving practices or distraction, the crash avoidance technology aims to prevent this as the technology will allow a car detect when a driver fails and act on behalf of the driver to prevent a car crash. Ford, Toyota and Volvo are just a few of the car makers who strongly believe this technology can reduce the rate of car crashes on the road. There are mixed opinions about this new crash avoidance technology as some drivers and researchers are off the opinion that this technology might actually cause more interruption than help for the driver while others are of the opinion that it will help the driver make better decisions.
According to the British drivers association any technology that takes responsibility away from the motorist should be banned, they believe that any technology which requires the driver to do little will make the driver less alert and too relaxed. “We have to be confident that the engineering can cope with a range of complexities in the same way as a human” explains Peter Rodger, the institute of advanced motorists’ chief examiner and former met police traffic inspector. This technology is not close to been developed or completed, the auto industry has and is still developing a lot of innovative safety features for cars, until this technology is finished and ready to be revealed it is not possible to know what its benefits or disadvantages will be.
